One thing a credits geek looks for in a new recording is
to see who the musicians are and what instruments
they’re playing. One thing that jumps out to a credits
geek when perusing Fountain of Youth (Peak,
E-One, 2014) by the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
is the absence of any musicians other than Freeman. It
looks and feels like a solo project.

Freeman, a fabulous guitarist, songwriter and producer,
founded the Rippingtons in the middle 1980s. At the
time, the group was basically Freeman surrounding
himself with a flexible and versatile lineup of musician
friends, including Kenny G, Brandon Fields and David
Benoit. A few albums later, the group began to take
shape with such players as Tony Morales, Steve Reid,
Mark Portmann and Kim Stone being regular fixtures, with
saxophone duties spread among Paul Taylor, Jeff Kashiwa,
Kirk Whalum and Eric Marienthal.

It wasn’t until 2003’s Let It Ripp that the
touring band of Freeman, Marienthal, Stone, Scott
Breadman and Dave Karasony was also the session band for
the entire album. That configuration remained in place
until Stone’s departure a few years later. Over the
years, Freeman released two solo albums and two
recordings with Benoit, the Benoit/Freeman Project.
However, this is the first time in Rippingtons history
that there appears to be no Rippingtons – only Freeman.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is Freeman breaks out a heavy arsenal of
stringed instruments, referring to the album
affectionately as “Guitar Heaven.” The liner includes a
graphic showing 15 instruments and two amplifiers used
to record Fountain of Youth. Though the
Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman have long stood at
the forefront of the smooth jazz format, this is more of
an instrumental rock album.

“North Shore” is one of the more upbeat tracks that will
likely find its way onto smooth jazz radio. Acoustic and
electric guitars are at play, along with some
complimentary keyboard work, ocean sounds and chimes.
Though not quite as engaging as either, it has a “Club
Paradiso” (Life in the Tropics) meets “Stories
of the Painted Desert” (Topaz) feel.

“The Sun King” begins tranquilly with a solo piano. Then
as the rhythm section kicks in, Freeman begins the
melody with an acoustic guitar. He later shifts to
electric. The song has a haunting, ethereal quality up
until the middle break, when Freeman employs some
orchestral maneuverings. Returning to the main theme,
the intensity cranks up as Freeman uses both guitars
effectively, the electric demonstrating the kind of
riveting speed and accuracy longtime fans may remember
from songs like “Avenida Del Mar” and “Dream of the
Sirens.”

Among the instruments Freeman plays are a Stratocaster,
a Telecaster, a ukulele, a mandolin and a steel guitar.
Fountain of Youth is dedicated to Freeman’s
wife, Yaredt.